On the Thai island of Koh Samui, where Maenam and Bophut beaches intersect, 17 luxury residential villas are going up as part of the Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui. The homes are part of the W resort there, which opened in November.

On the Thai island of Koh Samui, where Maenam and Bophut beaches intersect, 17 luxury residential villas are going up as part of the Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui. The homes are part of the W resort there, which opened in November.

Villa owners can use all of the hotel facilities, including the buggies. And the homes are a 20-minute car ride from the Samui airport, where flights come in direct from Hong Kong and Singapore, and 10 minutes from Santiburi Country Club's 18-hole golf course.

Villa owners can use all of the hotel facilities, including the buggies. And the homes are a 20-minute car ride from the Samui airport, where flights come in direct from Hong Kong and Singapore, and 10 minutes from Santiburi Country Club's 18-hole golf course.

The four-bedroom showroom villa (bathroom shown) is listed for 125 million Thai baht (US$4.15 million) or 12,047 Thai baht (US$400) a square foot. This is more expensive than other similar properties in the area: A four-bedroom villa in the Bophut beach area listed by My Home Abroad, an international property broker, is on sale for 19.5 million Thai baht.

The four-bedroom showroom villa (bathroom shown) is listed for 125 million Thai baht (US$4.15 million) or 12,047 Thai baht (US$400) a square foot. This is more expensive than other similar properties in the area: A four-bedroom villa in the Bophut beach area listed by My Home Abroad, an international property broker, is on sale for 19.5 million Thai baht.

The living room in the four-bedroom villa: Richard Skene, the sales and marketing director of the Residences, believes that owners are willing to pay a premium for the W Brand. "W is different and contemporary," he says, "We are associated with fashion and music."

The living room in the four-bedroom villa: Richard Skene, the sales and marketing director of the Residences, believes that owners are willing to pay a premium for the W Brand. "W is different and contemporary," he says, "We are associated with fashion and music."

The four-bedroom master suite: Two-bedroom villas will sell for about 60.1 million Thai baht (US$2 million); the largest five-bedroom villa, 204 million Thai baht. Three-bedroom configurations are available, too. All villas will have ocean views, but only the two-bedroom villas will be beachfront.

The four-bedroom master suite: Two-bedroom villas will sell for about 60.1 million Thai baht (US$2 million); the largest five-bedroom villa, 204 million Thai baht. Three-bedroom configurations are available, too. All villas will have ocean views, but only the two-bedroom villas will be beachfront.

Kitchen table at the four-bedroom villa: Residents will have access to 900 meters of shoreline on two secluded beaches. However, as beaches in Thailand are owned by the monarchy, they are not considered private.

Kitchen table at the four-bedroom villa: Residents will have access to 900 meters of shoreline on two secluded beaches. However, as beaches in Thailand are owned by the monarchy, they are not considered private.

Namu, the resort's Japanese restaurant: P49 Deesign created the interiors for the villas and the hotels. Carl Almeida, a partner at the Bangkok-based firm, says wood fittings were used to connect the villas to the environment. The color of the wood is similar to that of the bleached driftwood often found "washed up on the beach," he says.

Namu, the resort's Japanese restaurant: P49 Deesign created the interiors for the villas and the hotels. Carl Almeida, a partner at the Bangkok-based firm, says wood fittings were used to connect the villas to the environment. The color of the wood is similar to that of the bleached driftwood often found "washed up on the beach," he says.

The Woo Bar at the resort: The overall design was inspired by a Thai zen style, according to Mr. Almeida. "The carved wood details are references to traditional Thai homes as well as Thai temples," he says.

The Woo Bar at the resort: The overall design was inspired by a Thai zen style, according to Mr. Almeida. "The carved wood details are references to traditional Thai homes as well as Thai temples," he says.

All the residences feature private pools. The first six villas will be complete by the end of 2010; the rest are due to be finished by 2014. The villas are being sold by the Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui and the brokerage firm CB Richard Ellis.

All the residences feature private pools. The first six villas will be complete by the end of 2010; the rest are due to be finished by 2014. The villas are being sold by the Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui and the brokerage firm CB Richard Ellis.